Method for production of the solid fuel from biomass

ABSTRACT

The solid fuel formed into briquettes in the range of density by 400-1500 g/dm 3 , is produced from a perennial plant called Sida hermaphrodita Rusby as well as from a mixture of its stems with other chopped up elements of plant origin. Biomass made from stems of above-mentioned plant or from a mixture of its stems with other plants undergoes compressing in a briquetting press. The final product has energy output comparable to birch wood. Solid fuel made from biomass is mostly used in boiler-rooms for heating up hot-houses or for house fire-places.

The present invention relates to the method for production of the solid fuel from biomass, in the form of briquettes.

The solid fuel of this type is used for heating houses, hothouses, for boiler-rooms and fire-places.

The methods for production of plant origin fuels currently known, in the form of briquettes of different density, size and shape, are produced from waste materials such as sawdust and wood chips of perennial trees. However, there is a number of drawbacks connected with these kinds of fuels and their production methods. The limited raw material base is one of them as well as its heterogenous character. This negatively affects the production process, repeatability of parameters and the final product quality. The fuel manufacturers should be positioned near sawmills or other wood processing companies which supply raw material seems. The best location for the fuel manufacturers is near their product outlets, that is large cities, suburban house settlements and hothouse farms.

This invention aims is to eliminate the above-mentioned shortcomings by introducing a high productivity raw material of homogenous character which may ensure stable production conditions.

This invention introduces the method for production of the solid fuel from biomass, in the form of briquettes in the range of density by 400-1500 g/dm³. According to the invention, biomass is prepared from stems of a perennial plant called Sida hermaphrodita Rusby chopped up into 20-100 mm long pieces, preferably 50 mm, next it is further chopped up to obtain average ratio of length to thickness between 40-80, preferably 60 and participation of pieces longer than 10 mm from 2-20%, preferably 10%, while pieces smaller than 0.25 mm should constitute 5-15%, preferably 10%.

The chopped up stems of moisture contents by 3-18%, preferably 12% are compressed into briquettes of intended thickness and shape while lignin is naturally found in the raw material, serves as a binder.

This biomass is produced from stems of Sida hermaphrodita Rusby mixed with other chopped up substances of plant origin, preferably wood which constitutes less than 60% of dry matter.

A natural binder is added, preferably molasses equal to 0.3-2.0%, preferably 0.3% of dry matter and next it undergoes compressing.

Solid fuel made from biomass and in accordance with the invented production method has chemical composition and heating efficiency similar to birch wood and can satisfactorily substitute coal or wood.

Chemical composition of raw material used in the production allows for low emission of harmful combustion by-products, such as sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. There is no danger of emission of harmful by-products of resins and synthetic adhesives combustion which occurs when briquettes or furniture are made from composite boards waste. Sida hermaphrodita Rusby plantations can be situated near briquetting plant to make transport and storage of raw material very easy.

The invention is presented by the following practical examples.

EXAMPLE I

Once the stems of Sida hermaphrodita Rusby became technologically mature, they were cut down by a silo-harvester and turned into a mass of 50-100 mm long pieces. Then the biomass was transported to a factory on a trailer. Plate mill was used to further chop up the biomass into 1-5 mm long pieces. Less than 12% constituted pieces smaller than 0.25 min. At this stage the biomass having 30% of water was ready for biquetting. This process line consisted of a drum drier, dry material container and two kinds of briquetting presses, piston and a screw type. Briquettes made by piston briquetting press contained 10% of water and were characterised by 800-1300 g/m³ density, while briquettes made by a screw briquetting press had 1300-1500 g/dm³ density. Respectively the piston briquetting press output was 180 kg/h and the screw briquetting press was 50 kg/h. The briquetting presses worked in a more stable way as compared to processing wood waste.

EXAMPLE II

Preliminary chopped up biomass as above had some wooden sawdust added equal to 50% of dry matter. The mixture was further chopped up into 1-5 min long pieces by a knife mill. Elements smaller than 0.25 mm constituted some 12% of the volume. At this stage the biomass had 30% of water contents. Some 0.03% of molasses was added to the biomass prepared as above and then it was compressed in a piston press. Finally briquettes of 1100 kg/m3 density were obtained which can be used for fire-places.

This kind of fuel is used for heat generation in boilers and as a substitute to coal, wood or gas as well as for house fire-places. 

1. A method for production of the solid fuel from biomass, in the form of briquettes in the range of density by 400-1500 g/dm³ characterized in that biomass is prepared from stems of a perennial plant called Sida hennaphrodita Rusby chopped up into 20-100 mm long pieces, preferably 50 mm, next it is further chopped up to obtain average ratio of length to thickness between 4080, preferably 60 and participation of pieces longer than 10 mm from 2-20%, preferably 10%, while pieces smaller than 0.25 mm shoed constitute 5-15%, preferably 10%.
 2. A method according to claims 1, characterized in that the chopped up stems of moisture contents by 3-18%, preferably 12% are compressed into briquettes of intended thickness and shape while lignin is naturally found in the raw material, 1 serves as a binder.
 3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that biomass is produced from stems of Sida hermaphrodita Rusby mixed with other chopped up substances of plant origin, preferably wood which constitutes less than 60% of dry matter.
 4. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that a natural binder is added, preferably molasses equal to 0.3-2.0%, preferably 0.3% of dry matter, next it undergoes compressing.
 5. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that biomass is produced from stems of Sida hermaphrodita Rusby mixed with other chopped up substances of plant origin, preferably wood which constitutes less than 60% of dry matter. 